Traction motor lubricator



June 2, 1953 R. J. HARKENRIDER 2,640,743

TRACTION MOTR LUBRICATOR Filed Nov. 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 1953 R. J. HARKENRIDER TRACTION MOTOR LUBRICATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5, 1952 INVENTOR.

June 1953 R. HARKENRIDER TRACTION MOTOR LUBRICATOR Filed Nbv. 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I V/!! .I I

INVENTOR.

BY MM; wwm w Patented June 2, 1953 'ERACTION MOTOR LUBRICATOR Robert JLHarkenrider, winona, Minn., assignoto Gladys D. Miller, winona,- i

Application 'November 5, 1952,'Se1'ial N0.'318, 804

mm OFFICE 7 Claims.

This 'invntion relates' to lubricator's particularly'suitd for traction motor suspension bear ;ai cipacbjcts to provide a unit felt applicator ass-for diesel locoinotives, and has for its prin- 'p'erformed by a group of felt bodieseach 'of .which includes a pad l '1, having aburved-surface !8 to bear on the axle |2 and a-wick section le adapted to extend down into the supply ofoil "embly` that 'can be readly and properly installed in the reservoir !5 and continuouslydeliver to -by relatively unskilled help, 'and that will effcthe pad :section H by capillary attraction.

'tively "apply'copious oil to the journal on which In this embodiment, the felt bodiesalternate the motor is Suspended through a iong'perod of with stop plate 2@ of resilient bearing material, "service and Will preventirjurious metal to metal and the whole group is assembled in a' metal contact as the felt' appli'cator 'wears away in 10 holder 2! of channel shape `providing:awbase service. portion and spaced flanges` 22 embracingthe Gefally speaking, this is accomp'lished by group and giving lateral support'to it. group-ing light -felt 'bodies 'alternating With stop It is commercially difficult tomakea feltpad pia-tes of 'resilient'bearing material 'in a metal having suf'cient ;area corresponding to the hlder having side plates to embrace and give curved surfaces i& with the bers substantially latral support to thegroup assembly, with the enclwise to fit evenly against theaxle'journal and stop plates projecti r'g beyond the metal side feed evenly to the surface of thejournal in use. 'pieces 'to' maiiitain them out of striking contact For that reason, theapplicator'is made up of a "with the'journal and-the felt bodies projcting group of felts each including-the pad portions beyond the stop plates 'for rubbing and patting H which, in the whole, serve to 'makeup-anap- `'c'utact'with the journal. piicator surface of the curved portions 'lssuit- Further objects and advantages of'the invenable for applying lubricant uniformlyto'the sur- 'tin' will appear as the disclsure proceds and face of the journal.

the description is 'read in connection with 'the`ac- While the stop plates 20 actually separate the omp'anying drawingsir which several felt bodies, the latter project beyond the Fig. 1 isa transverse vertical section through frontedges 23 of the'stop plates and'expand so a motor'suspension-hearing and the axle to which as to close the gaps between them and present, 11-, is applied; for all practical purposes, -a uniform 'applica- Fg. '2 isa persp'ective View of the lubricator tor surface from one side to the other' of the appliance and 'asscciated bame or mounting plate; 0 group. A It is necessarythat the several felt bodies Fig. 3 is a `c'erspective View of the lubricator be confinedlaterally. otherwise,theywillgraduunit asseinbly, looking atthe back; ally spread too much; but it is necessary that "Figfi'is a section taken on the line 4-4 of they be allowed to spread enough to close the 2; gaps and present a subst'antially continuous ap- Fig. 5 is a sectionof the scaling tube taken on plication surface. u the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; y The channel-shaped holder 2 I, with its fianges -Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are transverse sections taken 22, embrac'ing the eritire'group of vpads and stop -o =the 1ines* 6'-=-5, 'i Land B-Bof Fig; 2, showplates (supplemented by transverse rivets when 'ingthapplieator in diiierent stages of wear and appropriate), furnis'hes the appropriate cofinediffrentposition's of use; 40 ment and aso a base for 'mtmg the grup, 9is aperspe'ctive view of the pivot rod for applicator. i t rof it; and It has been found that felts or' felt'bodis on Fig. 10 'is a'prspective View of one of the end I the order of 4" to thick are aboutthemost =fst`enings for the rod'shown in Fg. 9. satisfactory, and that'exposed' portiorls" beyond In Fig. 1 the reference numeral indicates the stop platesil of to will insure'ion a fainiliar form of mtors'uspension bearing properiod of service while "reducing 'thelatral tided with a liner or shell i l forming the actual spreading beyond an` objetionableamont' -ahd hearing" for the wheeld'axle !2. Associated with 'allowing enough s'p're'ading to 'mkethe -boi tact `these i a motor suspension bearingcap'or axle surface of the whole completeand substantially 'c'ap' l sjsecuredto the' motorsuspension hearing uniform. That provides a' surface 'that willwear -by lzolts Mami provided with an oil reservoir IE. about for 100,()00' miles of tr esa m a !El-lemeans forming `the subject matterof this journal surface that is as smooth*asit' shuldbe invntion is to -lift oil fromthe reservoir |5 and in practice. apply it to the axle I 2 through the window open- The stop plates Zi! for such felts may been the ing 16 in the shell or liner H. That function is order of to thick. They should project beyond the anges 22 enough to insure that those flanges will never come into striking contact with the journal. One-sixteenth inch to projection of the stop plates 20 will be sufiicient.

It is important to have the felts automatically set against the journal and automatically conform to the surface irrespective of accumulation of tolerances. To accomplish this, the applicator group or unit is pivoted-in this instance, on a rod 24 parallel to the journal (2, and having its axis substantially equidistant between the ends of the surfaces |8 intended to bear on the journal. With that arrangement and yielding pressure applied to the group, there is a natural tendency for the felts to conform to the surface to be lubricated. In addition, there is a, tendency for the entire group to rotate slightly in the opposite direction to the rotation of the jungle due to the tendency of the felt to adhere to the journal as it revolves. That tendency is predominant at the end portion of the felt first presented to the rotatlng journal, which may be called the leading portion or leading edge. The result is a tendency to increase the pressure between the pad and the journal over a 'considerable area on one side of the rod 24. There is also a relief of pressure in a, corresponding area at the opposite side of the rod 24. Where the pressure is increased, there is a surplus of oil ejected or pushed out; and where pressure is decreased that surplus is not wiped off as completely as if there was no pivotal movement allowed. The net result is a greater i application of oil to the surface of the journal and a greater proportion left on the surface of the journal that can be had without the pivoting; and careful observation indicates that a lower working temperature results.

The optimum condition for any particular installation will depend upon considerations growingout of it. As a general rule, the proportions will -be gotten approximately by placing 'the 'axis of the rod 24 on a radius from the axis of the journal l2 a distance from the sur- -face !8 related to the length of that surface that will produce the desirable tendency to rotate for the purpose indicated, but will not produce excessive pressures at the leading edge. A ratio of 1 for the shortest line between the axis of the rod 24 and the surface [8 to 3 to 3 /2 for the length of the surface |8 has been found satisfactory. How far on each side of those limits it would be possible to go depends on the particular material that is involved and other conditions, but a reasonable amount of cut and try will givethe answer.

The pivotal mounting is made easy by pro- 'viding the holder with a bushing 25 extending through the flanges 22, the felt bodies IT, and the stop plate 20, and having its end portions swaged to the fianges 22 at 216.

With such an arrangement, an applicator unit or assembly may be readily put in place and made fast by simply inserting the pivot rod 24,

which is provided with grooves 21 to receive `split fasteners 28 which are simply Sprung into The rod is, of course, of less dimensions than the notches 29 to allow free movement within the desired limits.

It is eminently desirable to have the felt bodies yieldingly pressed against the journal. When a locomotive is Operating at high speed on the order of to miles an hour, there is a terrific vibration of the axles due to irregularities in the track. That vibration, while presenting a problem, also is turned to advantage in lubrication with the present invention, for each vibration effects a momentary compression of the felt bodies followed by a momenta'y relaxation resulting in expansion. Each compression ejects oil from the pad, and each expansion makes it act like a sponge. In eect, the felt assemblies pat the journal as the lccomotive runs along.

For many installations the yelding pressure on the applicator is best furnished by mounting it to Swing toward the journal in response to spring pressure. In Figs. 1, 2, and 4 the applicator is shown on a mounting plate 31, having spaced flanges 32 formed by striking up the metal from openings 33. Each of those flanges is provided with a tubular hearing or bushing 34 (Fig. 4) having an end portion swaged to the plate at 35. The two bushings are aligned and form a hearing for a pivot rod 36 for two levers 31, through which the rods 24 and 30 pass and by which the applicator is made to swing about the axis of the rod 38.

Each bushing 34 forms a mounting for a torsion spring 38 having its intermediate portion 39 engaging the back side of the mountng plate 31, its coils wound about the bushing 34, and its free end portions 39' engaged with a stop rod 40 passing through the levers 31 and made fast with spring fittings 28.

The torsion springs are easily slipped into position during assembly and will constantly urge the felt'assembly or unit toward the axle of the journal with suitable pressure. How much will depend upon the nature of the service, but for a high speed passenger diesel locomotive intended to run 90 to 100 miles per hour a static pressure on the felts of approximately one-half pound per square inch will be satisfactory. A pressure in the neighborhood of three-quarters to one pound per square inch will be appropriate for a locomotive designed to run at a speed of 60 miles per hour.

The pivotal movement on the levers 31 and the yieldable movement of these levers on the mounting plate makes it easy to slip the device into position within the axle cap and provides for automatic adjustment of the assembly to the journal.

In order to maintain the springs 38 properly sleeved around the bushings 34 and yet provide for ready disassembly when required, and at the same time to maintain a record of the date of assembly, the inner end of each bushing is formed with a peripheral groove 4l adapted to receive the inturned end fiange 42 of a split scaling sleeve 43, all as best shown in Fig. 4. It will be evident that in the assembled relationship shown in Fig. 4 the ends of the scaling sleeve constitute shoulders preventing inward movement of the springs. However, removal of the sleeve, followed by withdrawal of the pivot rod 35, permits each spring to be slid inwardly ofi its bushing and thus to be separated from the assembly. I prefer to make the sealing sleeve or tube in the split, two-sectional form shown in Fig. 5, with the ends of one section provided with perforated flanges 44 res ceiving ears 45 formed'ontheends oftheother section which are bent'into looking position after insertion, as shown in Fig. 5. If the sleeve' be 'made of relatively frangible material, as ispreierred, and is inscribed with the date of assembly as indicated in Fig. 2, the tube will be limited to a single use by reason of being broken or beeorning damaged in removal, so that re-assembly will require substitution of a new sleeve bearing a new date. In this way, the age of any particular installation is automatically recorded.

The axle cap l3-is provided with an inspection opening i& normally closed by a cover plate ll secured by bolts 58. The removal of that plate permits inspection of the reservoir [5 and the parts thercin, and gives access to the lubricator appliance. It is a great advantage to mount the lubricator appliance on the cover plate ti to the end that they may be installed and removed by the same operation, and to the end that by merely installing the cover plate and securing it the lubricator appliance will automatically adjust itself in position with respect to the journal in the reservoir.

Where the Construction of the axle cap will pernit, this is advantageously accomplishecl by securing the mounting plate 3! of the lubricator appliance to the cover plate E?. In the present instance, the mounting plate 35 is provided with a right angle lange 55 fastened to the cover plate %l by rivets The plate mounting 3! is shown in the form of a bafiie, bent at !t and 5! and provided with openings 52 to allow some flow of oil while retaining control of the oil in the reservoir 15. The sides of the baiile plate are turned around to form gussets 53 and flanges 54.

When an appliance has been `in service sufficient to make it appropriate to replace the applicator unit, the cover plate ti may be removed, and with it the entire appliance. One of the spring fastenings 23 may be removed from the rod a l and the unit wish assembly removed and re placed by a new one properly saturated and protected during transit and handling by a sealed envelope of one of the many so-called plastic maerials of the vinyl base.

.A unit assembly having been made up under factory conditions, saturated and sealed, it is praetically certain that the maintenance man will it into the assembly in the intended condi tion; and, since the operation is simple, the change may be called fool-proof.

The wick assembly provides its own stop when the wear life of the felt has been exhausted. The

stop plates 29 assure that and prevent any metal to metal contact between the fianges 22 of the holder and the journal. The stopping is entirely independent of the thickness 'of the hearing liner 5 i, which varies in maintenance. The stop plates insure the same protection, regardless of the wear on the liner or the change in its thickness or variatiors in the journal.

Those stop plates are best made of resilient hearing material that will. not injure the journal when the wear permits them to come in contact with it during the terrific vibrations that take place at high speed. They advantageously are suiciently resilient to bounce quickly away from the journal when brought into contact with it by the violent movement of the axle. This will take place during the high speed operation when the wear is little if anything more than shown in Fig. 7, as well as when the wear has approached that shown in Fig. 8. The quick rebound of those stop platesassist in? 'yielding 'oil'fro'm the felt and applying it to the journal.

'Mfg Co., is satisfactory. It is composed of sheets of fabric dipped in a'phenol-formaldehyde resin, brought together, 'and cured 'under heat and pressures. The material is'well known in industry, and specific description of the composition and variations would seem unnecessary.

A similar material produced by General Electric Company is known as Textolite. Another produced by National Vulcanized Fibre Co. is called Phenolite. They illustrate a large class of laminated molded plastics of fabric base suitable for stop plates.

Hardwoods, such as a'bor Vitae and maple, will be found satisfactory.

This application is a continuation-in part of mygapplication Ser. No. 109,563, filed August 10, 194

I claim:

1. In a traetion motor lubricator, a base having parallel flanges, aligned tubular bearings carried by the anges, spaced parallel 'levers pivotally supported by the tubular bearings, a pad pivotally carried by and between the levers, and springs on the tubular bearings and acting on the base land the levers to urge the pad away from the ase.

2. In a device of the class described, a base having fianges, tubular bearings carried by the levers pivotally supported by the tubular bearings, springs on the tubular bearings and acting on the base and the levers, and a scaling tube on the tubular bearings between the springs.

3. In a device of the class described, a base having fianges, tubular bearings carred by the anges, levers pivotally supported by the tubular bearings, springs on the tubular bearings and acting on the base and the levers, and a split scaling tube on the tubular bearings between the sprngs.

4. In a traction motor lubricator, a mounting plate, side fianges on the mounting plate, aligned axially spaced and oppositely directed tubular bearings Secured to the flanges, a pivot rod journalled in the tubular bearings, pad-hclding means carried by the pivot rod, a spring sleeved around each tubular hearing for reacting between the mounting plate and the pad-holding means to urge said means toward a journal to be lubricated, and a split scaling tube removably mounted on the pivot rod between the tub ular bearings.

5. In a traction motor lubricator, a mounting plate, side fianges on the mounting plate, aligned axially spaced and oppositely dire-stad tubular bearings Secured to the fianges, a pivot rod journalled in the tubular bearings, pad-holding means carried by the pivot rod, a spring sleeved around each tubular bearing for reacting between the mounting plate and the padholding means to urge said means toward a journal to be l ubricated, and a split sealing tube having inturned end fianges seated in grooves in the tubular bearings removably mounting the tube on the pivot rocl between the tubular bearings.

6. In a traction motor lubricator, a mounting plate, side flanges thereon, aligned oppositely di- 7 rected tubular bearings secured to the fianges and having their inner ends axaily spaced apart, a pivot rod journalled in the tubular bearings, pad-holding means carried by said rod, a spring sleeved around each tubular bearing for reacting between the mounting plate and the padholding means to urge said means toward a journal to be lub'icated, and a single-use sealing tube mounted on the pivot rod between the tubular bearings and requirng destruction in removal.

7. In a traction motor lubricator, a mounting plate, side flanges thereon, aligned oppositely drected tubular bearings secu'ed to the fianges and having their inner ends axially spaced apart,

a pivot rod journalled in the tubular bearings, pad-holding means carried by said rod, a spring sleeved around each tubular hearing for reacting between the mounting plate and the padholding means to urge said means toward a journal to be lubricated, and a single-use sealing tube mounted on the pivot rod between the tubular bearings requiring destruotion in 'emoval and having a surface area adapted to be nscribed 10 with the date of assembly.

ROBERT J HARKENRIDER.

No references cited. 

